The results of medical tests confirm that University of Hawai'i starting left outside linebacker Tyson Kafentzis and backup right defensive end Fale Laeli will not be available for Saturday's football game against Eastern Illinois — or, perhaps, even longer.

Kafentzis was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right ankle.

A second magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed Laeli has partial tears to the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. The first MRI was blurry, Laeli said.

"We'll see what happens," Laeli said. "It's up to Eric (Okasaki, UH's head trainer). Hopefully, I can come back soon."

Yesterday, Kafentzis was on crutches, and his right foot was in a medical boot.

"It's bad," he said, "but it's better than a broken bone."

He said the fracture is at the base of his right ankle.

Kafentzis suffered the injury during warm-up drills Saturday in Boise. In the wrapping drill, a defender bear-hugs a leaping player, a technique designed to help in tackling. The technique was applied to Kafentzis, but he landed awkwardly on inside linebacker Brad Kalilimoku's foot.

"It was pretty nasty," Kafentzis said. "It folded all the way over. But I had my ankle brace on. It was pretty fortunate. I didn't think it would be fractured. I thought it would be a sprain. ... It wasn't Brad's fault. It wasn't anybody's fault. It just happened."

He started, but lasted only two plays.

"It kept getting worse and worse," he said. "I knew if I kept going, I might break it. I definitely didn't want to put the team in a bind. If I'm not 100 percent, you have to put in one of the backups. It was a big game. I didn't want to be selfish or anything."

Kafentzis said the injury makes it difficult to stand during practices — he skipped yesterday's workout to receive treatment in the training room — and to sit for long periods. "It's not good for the circulation," he said.

He said he hopes for a speedy recovery.

"Kafentzises are quick healers," he said. "Hopefully, this will be quick."

SATELE STARTS AT LB

Kafentzis' injury opens the way for Karl Noa, who made 10 tackles against Boise State, to start against Eastern Illinois. The surprise is on the other side. Yesterday, Brashton Satele, who slipped behind Noa on the depth chart last week, practiced as the No. 1 right outside linebacker.

C.J. Allen-Jones started the first three games at that position.

The coaches were vague in assessing the competition on the right side, saying Allen-Jones, Amani Purcell and Satele would play against Eastern Illinois.

"We switch them off," said George Lumpkin, who coaches the outside linebackers. "Some of the games dictate certain abilities. Some guys play better against (teams relying on) tight ends, some guys don't. It doesn't mean they can't, but we want to have the best guys in there all of the time."

As is turns out, Eastern Illinois' offense depends largely on the tight ends, and Satele, according to Lumpkin, is best suited to defending tight ends.

"Brashton is strong and he's physical and he's fast on top of that," Lumpkin said. "We're playing against tight ends (on Saturday)."

Satele said: "It always feels good to run with the first team. I have to keep working hard. I have to stay healthy."

This season, he has endured a bruised quadriceps and shoulder stinger.

ELIMIMIAN READY TO GO

Inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian, who is recovering from a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, yesterday competed in contact drills for the first time this month. He declared himself fit to play on Saturday.

"I doubt I'm starting," Elimimian said. "It's up to the coach. He'll put me in as he sees fit."

But head coach June Jones said: "He could start. He gives a lot of leadership. He's a very smart football player. He was our (second-)leading tackler last year."